Coming out as a victim of racism?

Between denial and identity strategies

Abstract

Ways of qualifying racism are partly structured by a dominant discourse attributing a victim label to the minority. But how do we explain the fact that in their experiential accounts racialized minorities are reluctant or refuse to identify themselves as victims? Based on semi-structured interviews (N=35) with immigrant descendants and natives of the French overseas departments and territories, this article studies the profane categorization of racist experiences and interactions, in relation to individual’s identity and biographical path. First, I show how their definition of the situation involves different strategies toward reconciling with or distancing from the ascribed racial identities. Secondly, I examine the way in which experiences of othering take shape in the interactions with the majority, but also with members of the minority. These latter experiences lead to forms of uncertainty in both individual’s personal identity and the characterization of racism.